Electronic governance or e-governance is the application of information and communication technology (ICT) for delivering government services, exchange of information communication transactions, integration of various stand-alone systems and services between government-to-customer (G2C), government-to-business (G2B), government-to-government (G2G) as well as back office processes and interactions within the entire government framework.[1] Through e-governance, government services will be made available to citizens in a convenient, efficient and transparent manner. The three main target groups that can be distinguished in governance concepts are government, citizens and businesses/interest groups. In e-governance there are no distinct boundaries.[2]

Generally four basic models are available – government-to-citizen (customer), government-to-employees, government-to-government and government-to-business.[2]

Both the terms are treated to be the same, however, there is some difference between the two. "E-government" is the use of the ICTs in public administration - combined with organizational change and new skills - to improve public services and democratic processes and to strengthen support to public. The problem in this definition to be congruence definition of e-governance is that there is no provision for governance of ICTs. As a matter of fact, the governance of ICTs requires most probably a substantial increase in regulation and policy-making capabilities, with all the expertise and opinion-shaping processes along the various social stakeholders of these concerns. So, the perspective of the e-governance is "the use of the technologies that both help governing and have to be governed".[3] The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) based e-governance projects are hugely successful in India. United Telecoms Limited known as UTL is a major player in India on PPP based e-governance projects . Each project had mammoth state wide area networks in these states.

Many countries are looking forward to for a corruption-free government. E-government is one-way communication protocol whereas e-governance is two-way communication protocol. The essence of e-governance is to reach the beneficiary and ensure that the services intended to reach the desired individual has been met with. There should be an auto-response to support the essence of e-governance, whereby the Government realizes the efficacy of its governance. E-governance is by the governed, for the governed and of the governed.

Establishing the identity of the end beneficiary is a challenge in all citizen-centric services. Statistical information published by governments and world bodies does not always reveal the facts. The best form of e-governance cuts down on unwanted interference of too many layers while delivering governmental services. It depends on good infrastructural setup with the support of local processes and parameters for governments to reach their citizens or end beneficiaries. Budget for planning, development and growth can be derived from well laid out e-governance systems

The goal of Government to Customer (G2C) e-Governance to is offer a variety of ICT services to citizens in an efficient and economical manner, and to strengthen the relationship between government and citizens using technology.

There are several methods of Government to Customer e-Governance. Two-way communication allows citizens to instant message directly with public administrators, and cast remote electronic votes (electronic voting) and instant opinion voting. Transactions such as payment of services, such as city utilities, can be completed online or over the phone. Mundane services such as name or address changes, applying for services or grants, or transferring existing services are more convenient and no longer have to be completed face to face.[4]

e government is unbalanced across the globe as not everyone has Internet access and computing skills, but the United States, European Union, and Asia are ranked the top three in development.

European countries were ranked second among all geographic regions. The Single Point of Access for Citizens of Europe supports travel within Europe and eEurope is a 1999 initiative supporting online government. Main focuses are to provide public information, allow customers to have access to basic public services, simplify online procedures, and promote electronic signatures.[5]

Asia is ranked third in comparison, and there are diverse G2C programs between countries. Singapore’s eCitizen Portal is an organized single access point to government information and services. South Korea’s Home Tax Service (HTS) provides citizens with 24/7 online services such as tax declaration. Taiwan has top ranking G2C technology including an online motor vehicle services system, which provides 21 applications and payment services to citizens.[5]

Government-to-Citizen is the communication link between a government and private individuals or residents. Such G2C communication most often refers to that which takes place through Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), but can also include direct mail and media campaigns. G2C can take place at the federal, state, and local levels. G2C stands in contrast to G2B, or Government-to-Business networks.

A full switch to Government to Customer e-Governance will cost a large amount of money in development and implementation.[4] In addition, Government agencies do not always engage citizens in the development of their e-Gov services or accept feedback. Customers identified the following barriers to Government to Customer e-Governance: not everyone has Internet access, especially in rural or low income areas, G2C technology can be problematic for citizens who lack computing skills. some G2C sites have technology requirements (such as browser requirements and plug-ins) that won't allow access to certain services, language barriers, the necessity for an e-mail address to access certain services, and a lack of privacy.[8]

E-Governance to Employee partnership (G2E) Is one of four main primary interactions in the delivery model of E-Governance. It is the relationship between online tools, sources, and articles that help employees maintain communication with the government and their own companies. E-Governance relationship with Employees allows new learning technology in one simple place as the computer. Documents can now be stored and shared with other colleagues online.[9] E-governance makes it possible for employees to become paperless and makes it easy for employees to send important documents back and forth to colleagues all over the world instead of having to print out these records or fax[10]G2E services also include software for maintaining personal information and records of employees. Some of the benefits of G2E expansion include:

E-benefits- be able to look up what benefits an employee is receiving and what benefits they have a right to.

E-training- allows for new and current employees to regularly maintain the training they have through the development of new technology and to allow new employees to train and learn over new materials in one convenient location. E-learning is another way to keep employees informed on the important materials they need to know through the use of visuals, animation, videos, etc. It is usually a computer based learning tool, although not always. It is also a way for employees to learn at their own pace (distance learning) . Although, it can be instructor lead.

Maintaining records of personal information- Allows the system to keep all records in one easy location to update with every single bit of information that is relevant to a personal file. Examples being social security numbers, tax information, current address, and other information[11]

Government-to-employees (abbreviated G2E) is the online interactions through instantaneous communication tools between government units and their employees. G2E is one out of the four primary delivery models of e-Government.[12][13][14]

G2E is an effective way to provide E-learning to the employees, bring them together and to promote knowledge sharing among them.[15] It also gives employees the possibility of accessing information in regard to compensation and benefit policies, training and learning opportunities and civil rights laws.[12][15][16] G2E services also includes software for maintaining personnel information and records of employees.[16]

G2E is adopted in many countries including the United States, Hong Kong and New Zealand.[17]

From the start of 1990s e-commerce and e-product, there has rampant integration of e-forms of government process. Governments have now tried to use their efficiencies of their techniques to cut down on waste. E-government is a fairly broad subject matter, but all relate to how the services and representation are now delivered and how they are now being implemented.

Many governments around the world have gradually turned to Internet Technologies (IT) in an effort to keep up with today’s demands. Historically, many governments in this sphere have only been reactive but up until recently there has been a more proactive approach in developing comparable services such things as e-commerce and e-business.[18]

Before, the structure emulated private-like business techniques. Recently that has all changed as e-government begins to make its own plan. Not only does e-government introduce a new form of record keeping, it also continues to become more interactive to better the process of delivering services and promoting constituency participation.

The framework of such organization is now expected to increase more than ever by becoming efficient and reducing the time it takes to complete an objective. Some examples include paying utilities, tickets, and applying for permits. So far, the biggest concern is accessibility to Internet technologies for the average citizen. In an effort to help, administrations are now trying to aid those who do not have the skills to fully participate in this new medium of governance, especially now as e-government progressing to more e-governance terms

An overhaul of structure is now required as every pre-existing sub-entity must now merge under one concept of e- government. As a result Public Policy has also seen changes due to the emerging of constituent participation and the Internet. Many governments such as Canada’s have begun to invest in developing new mediums of communication of issues and information through virtual communication and participation. In practice this has led to several responses and adaptations by interest groups, activist, and lobbying groups. This new medium has changed the way the polis interacts with government.

The purpose to include e-governance to government is to make means more efficient in various aspects. Whether it means to reduce cost by reducing paper clutter, staffing cost, or communicating with private citizens or public government. E-government brings many advantages into play such as facilitating information delivery, application process/renewal between both business and private citizen, and participation with constituency. There are both internal and external advantages to the emergence of IT in government, though not all municipalities are alike in size and participation.

In theory, there are currently 4 major levels of E-government in municipal governments:[19]

the establishment of a secure and cooperative interaction among governmental agencies;

Web-based service delivery;

the application of e-commerce for more efficient government transactions activities,;

and digital democracy.

These, along with 5 degrees of technical integration and interaction of users include:

simple information dissemination (one-way communication);

two- way communication (request and response);

service and financial transactions;

integration (horizontal and vertical integration);

political participation

The adoption of e-government in municipalities evokes greater innovation in e- governance by being specialized and localized. The level success and feedback depends greatly on the city size and government type. A council-manager government municipality typically works the best with this method, as opposed to mayor-council government positions, which tend to be more political. Therefore, they have greater barriers towards its application. Council-Manager governments are also more inclined to be effective here by bringing innovation and reinvention of governance to e- governance.

The International City/County Management Association and Public Technology Inc. have done surveys over the effectiveness of this method. The results are indicating that most governments are still in either the primary stages (1 or stage 2), which revolves around public service requests. Though application of integration is now accelerating, there has been little to no instigating research to see its progression as e-governance to government. We can only theorize it’s still within the primitive stages of e-governance.

Government-to-Government (abbreviated G2G) is the online non-commercial interaction between Government organisations, departments, and authorities and other Government organisations, departments, and authorities. Its use is common in the UK, along with G2C, the online non-commercial interaction of local and central Government and private individuals, and G2B the online non-commercial interaction of local and central Government and the commercial business sector.

The strategic objective of e-Governance, or in this case G2G is to support and simplify governance for government, citizens and businesses. The use of ICT can connect all parties and support processes and activities. Other objectives are to make government administration more transparent, speedy and accountable, while addressing the society’s needs and expectations through efficient public services and effective interaction between the people, businesses and government.[20]

In the field of networking, the Government Secure Intranet (GSI) puts in place a secure link between central government departments. It is an IP based Virtual Private Network based on broadband technology introduced in April 1998 and further upgraded in February 2004. Among other things it offers a variety of advanced services including file transfer and search facilities, directory services, email exchange facilities (both between network members and over the Internet) as well as voice and video services. An additional network is currently also under development: the Public Sector Network (PSN) will be the network to interconnect public authorities (including departments and agencies in England; devolved administrations and local governments) and facilitate in particular sharing of information and services among each other.[23]

Government-to-Business (G2B) is the online non-commercial interaction between local and central government and the commercial business sector with the purpose of providing businesses information and advice on e-business 'best practices'. G2B:Refers to the conduction through the Internet between government agencies and trading companies. B2G:Professional transactions between the company and the district, city, or federal regulatory agencies. B2G usually include recommendations to complete the measurement and evaluation of books and contracts.

The objective of G2B is to reduce difficulties for business, provide immediate information and enable digital communication by e-business (XML).In addition, the government should re-use the data in the report proper, and take advantage of commercial electronic transaction protocol.[24] Government services are concentrated to the following groups: human services; community Services; judicial services; transport services; land resources; business services; financial Services and other.[25] Each of the components listed above for each cluster of related services to the enterprise.

E-government reduce costs, carry out all companies to interact with the government. Electronic trading saves time compared to human doing business. No need for driving to government and no waiting time. If the transaction is not completed, you can use the mouse to click on the return trip rather than drive to the office.As more and more companies are doing online conduct government business, and their transaction costs will be reduced.More technology and less workers needed reduce the business cost.

E-Government provides a greater amount of information that business needed,also it makes those information more clear.A key factor in business success is the ability to plan for the future. Planning and forecasting through data-driven future.The government collected a lot of economic, demographic and other trends in the data. This makes the data more accessible to companies which may increase the chance of economic prosperity.

In addition, E-Government can help businesses navigate through government regulations by providing an intuitive site organization with a wealth of useful applications.The electronic filings of applications for environmental permits gives an example of it.Companies often do not know how, when, and they must apply. Therefore failure to comply with environmental regulations up to 70%, a staggering figure[26] most likely to confusion about the requirements, rather than the product of willful disregard of the law.[27]

The government should concern that not all people are able to access to the internet to gain on-line government services.The network reliability, as well as information on government bodies can influence public opinion and prejudice hidden agenda.There are many considerations and implementation, designing e-government, including the potential impact of government and citizens of disintermediation, the impact on economic, social and political factors, vulnerable to cyber attacks,and disturbances to the status quo in these areas.[28]

G2B rises the connection between government and businesses.Once the e-government began to develop, become more sophisticated, people will be forced to interact with e-government in the larger area.This may result in a lack of privacy for businesses as their government get their more and more information.In the worst case, there is so much information in the electron transfer between the government and business,a system which is like totalitarian could be developed.As government can access more information, the loss privacy could be a cost.[29][30]

The government site does not consider about "potential to reach many users including those who live in remote areas, are homebound, have low literacy levels, exist on poverty line incomes."[31]

e-Tender Box (ETB) system[32] - ETB system was developed by Government Logistics Department (GLD) to replace Electronic Tendering System.Users can use ETB system to download the resources and gain the service from the GLD.

e-Procurement Programme[33] - e-Procurement Programme provide a simple, convenient on-line ways for suppliers of the participating bureaux/departments (B/Ds) and suppliers of Government Logistics Department and agree to provide the low-valued goods and service.[34]

Finance and support for your business[35] - UK Government provide the on-line financial help for business including grants,loans,business guide,what's more,it also offer the funding for the sunrise businesses(just start) or small scale firms.

The Main Goal of Government to Business- is to increase productivity by giving business more access to information in a more organize manner while lowering the cost of doing business as well as the ability to cut “red tape”, save time, reduce operational cost and to create a more transparent business environment when dealing with government.

Lowering cost of doing business- electronic transaction save time compared to conducting business in person.

Cutting red tape- rules and regulation placed upon business normally take time and are most likely to cause a delay- in (G2B) will allow a much faster process with less delays and decreasing the number of rules and regulations

Transparency- More information will be available, making G2B easier to communicate.

Government to business Key points:

Reduce the burden on business by adopting a process that enables collecting data once for multiple uses and streamlining redundant data.

Government to business (G2B)- Refers to the conducting of transactions between government bodies and business via internet.

Business to government (B2G)- Professional affairs conducted between companies and regional, municipal, or federal governing bodies. B2G typically encompasses the determination and evaluation of proposal and completion of contract.

Conclusion:

The overall benefit of e-governance when dealing with business is that it enables business to perform more efficiently.

E-governance is a wonderful tool to bring transparency, accountability and whistle blowing in India.[36] However, it has its own share of challenges that include administrative, legal and technological challenges. There may be instances where e-governance can itself be a source of corruption.[37] Use of e-governance in India would also require an efficient mechanism to deal with e-waste.[38] Absence of privacy [39] and data protection laws [40] has also created many hurdles before successful implementation of e-governance in India. However, the biggest hurdle before Indian e-governance initiatives comes from poor cyber security in India.[41] According to techno legal experts, e-governance without cyber security is useless in India.[42] In fact, that makes the critical infrastructure of India vulnerable to sophisticated cyber attacks.[43] Absence of mandatory e-governance services in India is the main reason for apathy towards this crucial field.[44]

PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) is a multi purpose, multi-modal platform for bringing e-transparency and e-accountability. It is an Integrating and interactive platform which will address peoples grievances and also monitor and review the implementation of important projects flagged by Government of India and other State governments. The directions given through PRAGATI will remain in the system for further follow-up until the issue is closed. This system uses technologies like Digital data management, video-conferencing and geo-spatial technology. Pragati can help Prime Minister of India and Secretaries of Government of India to monitor and follow-up the timely implementation of projects with Chief Secretaries of State.

Following are the key features of Pragati

1. It is a three tier system involving PMO, union government secretaries and chief secretaries of the states.

2. Every month prime minister will interact with union government secretaries and chief secretaries of states through video-conferencing enabled by data and geo-infomatics visuals. This day will be known as Pragati day.

3. Issues to be presented to prime minister will be taken from the database containing Public grievances and on-going and pending Projects.

4. Pragati provides an interface and platform for improving databases of CPGRAMS for public grievances, Project Monitoring Group (PMG) and the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.[45]